Caw-opekeb



G. N. NUTWELL. CAN 0mm.

APPLICATION FILED .IAN.12 1920.

1,393,639. Patented Oct. 11, 192i.

INVEN TOR.

GoffMNuiwelL I BY Q) v ATTORNEY Unites Per l" GOFF N. NUTVELL, OF FRESNO, CALTFORNIA.

GAIN-OPENER.

i ,seaese.

Application filed January 12, 192 Serial No. 350,826.

To all who-m it may concern Be it known that I, (torn l N'o'rwnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fresnmin the county of Fresno, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Qpene-rs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescriptionof the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this application.

This invention relates to improvements in can openers, the principal object of the invention being to produce a device of this character which may be used to cut open. a can of any conceivable shape, or to pry up the lid of such cans as are used to contain paint, etc.

Another object is to devise a can opener which will cut the tin very close to the edge, thus eliminating the rough flange usually left and which hinders the removal of solidly packed goods, besides being a menace to the operator on account of the sharp and jagged ed e.

Ti further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purposes for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of my improved can opener showing the same applied to open a round can.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation, showing the device used to pry up a lid.

Fig. 4 is a detached view of a can gripping member.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the handle and cutter supporting member, preferably formed of one piece of stiff sheet metal cut and bent to shape and provided with side flanges 2 for a greater part of its length, such flanges being adapted to abut to give the handle of which project beyond the end of the lower one of said fork members. [the upper fork member however projects in a line with the handle for a considerable distance beyond the member 3, to form a prier i, tapered down from its original width at its outer end and adapted to serve as a means to pry up the lid 5 of a paint can 6 or similar container.

The disk 3 is provided with a plurality of tapped holes 7 radial from its pivotal connection 3*, which is a rivet or similar permanent fastenin To normally prevent the member 3 from turning, a screw 8 is screwed through the portions 1 of the handle, and one of the holes 7.. This screw is on the left hand side of the handle, when looking toward the disk.

Pivoted by means of the rivet 3 and positioned between the disk 3 and the upper fork member is an arm 9 having a pointed cutting element 10 depending downwardly therefrom and positioned substantially at right angles to the arm.

This arm has a freedom of movement about its pivotal point from the screw 8 on one side to the handle at the other, at which point the cutting member rests adjacent the outside of the handle, the arm itself being between the forks.

lVhen in operation, the cutter 10 is pressed through the top of the can 11 and the disk 3 brought into contact with the edge of the can, the portion a projecting over the top of the can and acting as a guide to prevent the disk from working downward on the can. The teeth of the disk 3 point toward the cutter, so that with a pulling motion on the handle away from the cutter, the teeth will grip the edge of the can and form a fulcrum for the handle, and the cutter is forced through the can. A continued reciprocatory movement of the handle will soon have the can cut through.

The disk 3 being normally immovable teeth to the can-edge.

screw 8 and repositioning it in another oneof the holes 7 in the disk, the latter will be turned to present a new lot of teeth.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfils the object of the invention as set forth herein.

' VVhi'le this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure. from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim. Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- A can opener comprising a relatively fiat forked handle, an arm pivoted immediately under the topmost fork-member and provided with a down *ardly pointing cutting element at its outer end, said element projecting beyond the fork, a can-engaging ratchet fixed between the forks under the arm, and a broad extension projecting from the upper fork member and adapted to rest on top of the can to maintain the handle and cutter in proper alinement relative to the can-top.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ErOFF N. NU'IWELL.

lVitnesses F. H. QUADE, J11, GUS'IKIVE E. LUNDISS. 

